Sep 25, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters (91) and umpire Garth DeFelice (53) chat between downs during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-US PRESSWIRE

The Atlanta Falcons received some really good news today from their practice up in Flowery Branch. That news came in the form of defensive tackle Corey Peters who suffered a stress fracture in his foot and missed most of training camp as well as the first six games of the season. He finally returned to practice for the Falcons today.

Peters was a dominant force for the Falcons defensive line in 2011, and was expected to be just as big a part in this 2012 season. Unfortunately, he was injured early in the preseason, and was forced to shut it down for a good while. The Falcons expected him to be a big part of their defensive tackle rotation, but obviously he has been out. And clearly his presence has been missed in defending the run.

He was able to rehab his foot and workout on his own with the Falcons physical therapy/training staff, but nothing prepares a player like practice on the field or in actual game situations.

It’s unlikely that Peters will play Sunday against the Eagles, but it could happen. More likely is that the Falcons take a couple weeks to monitor the conditioning and physical readiness of Peters and then make a decision on whether or not to play him.

The Falcons have three weeks to either add him to their active roster, or put him on the injured reserve, ending his season.

It may not happen for a couple weeks, but the fact that Peters is returning to practice is a good sign. For a team lacking interior pass-rush and good play against the run, Peters represents a big potential boon to this Falcons team.

Oct 23, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters (91) celebrates after sacking Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (not pictured) during the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber- US PRESSWIRE

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters was a huge part of Atlanta’s 2011 defense. The spot next to DT Jonathan Babineaux had long been a revolving door of role players, but Peters really took the bull by the horns and earned the position last year. He played really well, and was expected to be a major part of the Falcons defense for the future.

Unfortunately, Peters suffered a stress fracture in his foot during training camp, and missed a lot of practice time, and has been on the reserve/non-football injury list for the first six weeks of the season. But there is good news.

Peters is nearing full health, and the Falcons could activate him in time for their contest against the Eagles. Atlanta has a bye this week, and then must travel to Philadelphia. That gives Peters an additional week to get healthy, and the best part is that the team won’t miss him on the field during the bye.

There’s no guaranteeing he will be ready to go against the Eagles. There’s even an outside shot that he doesn’t rejoin the team at all this season. If he’s fully healthy, he will play again this season. Perhaps the biggest thing preventing him taking the field is getting into game shape. Peters hasn’t had any practice time the past six weeks, and while he has been working out extensively, he isn’t necessarily in game shape just yet.

When he does return, I wouldn’t expect him to play a majority of plays. The Falcons will ease him back into playing. But he will provide depth in a rotation with Vance Walker and Peria Jerry lining up next to Jonathan Babineaux. Keeping the defensive tackles fresh and able to make plays is a big thing, and having Peters in there would help.

It would also help what has been a dismal Falcons defense against the run. Atlanta needs all the help they can get playing the run, and Peters would certainly help in that department, not because he is so much better than the others in the lineup, but because his presence would provide depth and keep the entire defensive tackle rotation fresh. His return would be huge for Atlanta.

Sep 25, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters (91) lines up during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-US PRESSWIRE

We have some really bad news coming from the Atlanta Falcons. According to sources, Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters will be out for the first six weeks of the regular season. After the first six games, Peters will be able to begin practicing, and the Falcons can make a choice as to whether or not they will leave him on the reserve/non-football injury list. If he is progressing well from his foot injury, the Falcons will activate him, but there are no guarantees what his production on the field will be like.

Obviously this really hurts the Falcons. Peters was huge for Atlanta last season lining up at defensive tackle next to Jonathan Babineaux. The Falcons didn’t have a wealth of talent behind those two on the depth chart to begin the year with, and this didn’t help. Behind the starting tackles, the Falcons have Vance Walker, and rookie Travian Robertson lining up.

The good news is that Peria Jerry has been looking like a force throughout the pre-season. The Falcons 2009 1st round pick has been playing up to his billing this preseason after three disappointing, injury plagued seasons. He will line up next to Babineaux on the starting defensive line. Again, no guarantees that he is overwhelming during the games that count, but having him be a productive member in the fold is very good.

Drafting a defensive tackle like Peters in the 3rd round and having him become a starter very quickly is a great thing, but it hurts just as bad when he isn’t available. If ever there was a time for Peters to step up and produce for the Falcons, it is with this 2012 team.